Chicago-based Hub says it and Harmonia have a long-standing business relationship stemming from both firms' involvement in the Worldwide Broker Network (WBN).

José Conduta, founder and principal of Harmonia, will join the newly formed Hub Internacional Latin America as its chief executive officer. Harmonia's management team and staff will remain with Harmonia. The team will be led by Priscila Lima Conduta Elias, principal and leader of Harmonia's employee benefits who will become Hub Harmonia's president.

“Harmonia is the first building block in developing a Hub platform in Latin America,” says Martin P. Hughes, chairman and CEO of Hub International in a statement. “Hub views this transaction as transformational for our company. We have been looking for a solid partner in Latin America, particularly in Brazil, which is one of the world's fastest growing economies, and we are confident we have identified the right fit in José and the Harmonia family.”

Neil Morrison, CEO and president of Hub Ontario/HKMB, who will assume the additional position of chairman of Hub Internacional Latin America, says, “Hub's current working and professional experience with Harmonia has always been of the utmost integrity and good faith, and we look forward to working with the Harmonia team.”